Syracuse vs Washington State Prediction, Pick & Odds

• Syracuse and Washington State battle in the Holiday Bowl
• The Washington State Cougars are 2-5 in their last 7 games as an underdog
• Check out the Syracuse vs Washington State prediction, odds and our best bets below

The revitalized Syracuse Orange (9-3, 5-3 ACC) renew their festive spirit in the 2024 Holiday Bowl against Washington State (8-4). The Orange ended Miami’s College Football Playoff hopes with a 42-38 upset at home in their last contest.

Meanwhile, the Cougars faltered down the stretch, losing three straight games to end the season. The 2024 Holiday Bowl kicks off at 8 pm ET on Friday, December 27 on Fox.

Look for the Syracuse vs Washington State prediction, odds and our best bets, below.

Syracuse vs Washington State Odds

Syracuse are 18.5-point favorites in the college football bowl odds. The total for Syracuse vs Washington State is set at 59.5 points.

Bettors love the Orange, as 67% of spread wagers are on Syracuse in the college football public betting splits.

Odds as of December 27 at FanDuel. Check out the best football betting apps for Syracuse vs Washington State.

Syracuse Betting News & Notes

Fran Brown has been a revelation in his first year as head coach of the Orange. With a win he’d secure the most victories for a first-year head coach in the history of the program, and the third 10-win season of the century for Syracuse. Ohio State transfer Kyle McCord has been a huge part of those victories. McCord tops the nation in passing yards (4,326) and is currently fifth with 29 touchdowns.

Receiver Jackson Meeks leads the Orange with 911 yards and seven touchdowns this season, while Trebor Pena, and tight end Oronde Gadsden also surpassed the 800-receiving yards mark.

Plus, junior running back LeQuint Allen (901 yards, 14 touchdowns) will run wild over a Washington State defense that ranks 118th in EPA per rush.

Kyle was making it rain in Syracuse 😤

Kyle McCord threw for 354 yards and 4 touchdowns tonight in his debut with the Orange‼️@CuseFootball | @Cuse | @drpepper pic.twitter.com/NFuCRyyNxf

— ACC Digital Network (@theACCDN) August 31, 2024

That being said, the Orange defense has been a below average unit this season, ranking 105th in EPA per pass allowed. The Cougars will aim to exploit that weakness on Friday night. Keep in mind, the Orange are 1-5 ATS in their last six games as a favorite.

Washington State Betting News & Notes

The Washington State team suiting up for the Holiday Bowl will hardly resemble the squad who played all season. A massive 10 starters have entered the transfer portal, with quarterback John Mateer being the most notable.

Mateer accounted for 3,965 total yards with 44 touchdowns this season. His production will be tough to replicate. Fill-in starter Zevi Eckhaus has thrown just seven passes at the FBS level since transferring from Bryant University.

On top of that, their coaching staff has been decimated. Head coach Jake Dickert departed for Wake Forest, offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle is now at Oklahoma, and quarterbacks coach John Kuceyeski joined Arbuckle in Norman. Assistant head coach Pete Kaligis will take over for the Holiday Bowl.

THE STAGE IS SET 🏟️@holidaybowl 🏈🌴❄️ pic.twitter.com/A9wKWSrNJF

— Snapdragon Stadium (@SnapdragonStdm) December 27, 2024

Unfortunately, the Cougars defense will also be in disarray. Starting safety Joshua Lataimua, corner Ethan O’Connor and tackle Ansel Din-Mbuh, amongst others, have entered the transfer portal.

A brutal Cougars defense that allowed 429 yards and 28 points per game will be without their coordinator and five starters against a potent Orange offense.

It’s important to note, Washington State has struggled as a underdog this season, going just 1-4 ATS.

Syracuse vs Washington State Prediction

Simply put, the cupboards are bare for Washington State. This line has tripled since opening with Syracuse as 5.5-point favorites in the wake of Jake Dickert’s departure. An already brutal defense will be hard pressed to stop Syracuse’s passing offense without their best players.

However, a three-score spread is too high in a game that features two suspect defenses. Instead, target the Syracuse vs Washington State Over.

Holiday Bowl Pick: Over 59.5 points -110, Syracuse Team Total Over 38.5 -108